On Sunday I shared the parable of the workers in the vineyard. And I want to share a slightly different take on the passage today. It struck me as I read it but I didn’t have the opportunity to explore it further. So bear with me as I go on this voyage of discovery...
We live in changing times. To be honest Covid-19 is just another facet of change in what has been a change of era. Like the turning of the seasons and the falling of the leaves, change is inevitable. We roll from crisis to crisis - whether it is Brexit or Independence in political circles, mental health replacing smallpox et al, climate issues moving from CFC gasses to critical wipeout and then this virus hits, reminiscent of the HIV/Aids ‘outbreak’ in the 80s. I know they are different but I use to highlight how we roll from one crisis to another as well as technological development throughout the eras - iron, agricultural, industrial, gadget overload to smart tech. Arguably human beings are not as good at managing change as our ability to produce, consume and create. Perhaps that is why today mental health is so fragile. But we are blessed with a God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. And you know whether you are keeping up or falling behind in this new world order - God loves you.
So what struck me was change thinkers like using the bell diagram (see above) and it struck me as I read the passage that this is something we could explore. Parables have scope for this kind of interpretation. The early adopters are the first ones to get that change is here. The 7am crew live by the notion that the early bird catches the worm. They are always looking for the next opportunity, and will take it if offered. They are prepared, fit and able. They know that hard work lies ahead but believe the rewards will be worth it, even if it just a denarius. The 10am crew are not really that far behind, but they like their morning coffee first, perhaps just taking the opportunity to do a wee bit research on social media and the like. After all if you are going to follow someone into the vineyard you want to see if they are really grapes worth picking.
As time passes confidence grows with those sitting on the fence. This group are genuinely hopeful the change will work but not confident enough to commit or energised enough to do anything about it. Only once the evidence is overwhelming that the work is worth it, or that the alternative is worse will they climb down and join in. Many of these people inhabit our workplaces and churches. The majority of human beings are cautious and like to be sure before committing. It can be why it takes so long for anything to happen in the church...
By the time you hit the 4pm and 6pm crews you are almost arrived at the destination...late adopters they have finally come around and support the change that has occurred. Usually they have been the most critical, convinced that the change will fail. Some get in there just in time to reap the rewards and benefit from the ‘praise and affirmation’ of a job well done such as the 4pm crew whilst the 6pm crew arrive surreptitiously not sure if looking for failure or not. This can make the early adopters sore although more likely it is the middle groups of 10am and 1pm take the hump at the 4pm and 6pm crews. And whilst they are busy grumping at one another, the 7am group are already away looking for the next change or challenge. The 7am crew rarely sit still and whether we like them or not, we need to invest in our 7am crew.
All of our churches have these different groups and you need them all. It can be hard to live with each other, especially if we feel that the 6pm crew steal our thunder. In the parable Jesus treats them all the same - they all get paid the same amount. And this didn’t go down well either. So often we think that if we are not the 7am crew, pushing for change we are not making it as a Christian. Sometimes we think that if we are the 6pm crew - joining in at the last minute we are stealing something we didn’t earn, benefitting from all the hard work that went before. And the 7am crew can be quite arrogant, not understanding the difficulties that face the 1pm group on the fence or the grief that the 4pm crew carry from being burnt before. It can be easy to point the finger and blame another for the failure, the decline, the misery of the Church. As I was reminded recently in a tv programme - when you point the finger, three point back at you.
God loves us all equally whether we arrived early in his mission fields or turn up late in the day. He rewards us not on merit or work done, but with his infinite grace. Of course we can’t abuse that grace, but maybe as we rely on that grace more, we might be more supportive for all in the church, especially those who call us to change, even if we don’t get it! Maybe if we appreciated all the workers in the mission field, recognising that none of us own the land we might focus less on what separates us and more on what unites us. Ultimately, the work will get done, God’s mission will be completed, and at the end of the day - no matter when I started, I just want to be there when the Lord speaks those immortal words;
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Now get to work! 😉😇
Peace of Christ be yours
Love Sarah
